Van Vleck Curator of Works on Paper – The Chazen Museum of Art

The Chazen Museum
of Art, University of Wisconsin-Madison, seeks an energetic and engaged
professional for the position of Van Vleck Curator of Works on Paper. The curator
is responsible for the development and management of the Chazen Museum of Art’s
extensive collection of prints, drawings, and photographs. This collection
includes the renowned John H. Van Vleck collection of Japanese woodblock
prints. The Curator will conduct research into the museum’s collection of
prints, drawings and photographs which is expected to result in special
exhibitions and the regular publication of scholarship.

In consultation
with the Director and the Assistant Director for Collections and Exhibitions,
the Van Vleck Curator for Works on Paper will be responsible for developing an
acquisition policy in the area of prints, drawings and photographs and will
assist in identifying appropriate additions to the collection.

In cooperation with
other museum staff members, this position has responsibility for the physical
management of this portion of the collection, to include advising on
preservation concerns and exhibition conditions. This position plays an active role in
institutional conservation planning.

The Curator will
also be required to maintain regular contact with collectors, donors, and
professional colleagues and assist in developing funding proposals for
acquisitions, exhibitions, or other special projects in his/her area. The
Curator will teach courses, give gallery talks, and other lectures of general
interest. The individual will mentor, teach and guide the work of student
employees.

Qualifications: MA in Art History or
closely related field required; PhD preferred; At least 5 years of curatorial
experience in an art museum preferred, specifically in the area of prints, drawings,
and photographs. A record of scholarly and general interest publication is
preferred. Active participation in the field through professional organization
membership and conference panel presentation is expected. Specialization in, or
a developing knowledge of, 17th-19th century Japanese
woodblock prints, or the ability to use them for comparative purposes, is
preferred. Reading proficiency in language
relevant to specialization is preferred.

About the Collection: With more than 11,000 objects, the works on paper collection is a
substantial resource at the Chazen. Supporting an active exhibition program, a
dedicated study room provides public and scholarly access.

The print collection surveys European
works from the mid-1400s to the present, American works from the late 1700s to
the present, and Japanese works from the 1700s to the present. French prints in
the collection include nearly 900 works by Honore Daumier. Works from Germany,
Austria and the Netherlands are strong from 1500-1700, with exceptional
impressions of great prints. Also included is a nearly complete selection of
prints by William Hogarth, and an excellent set of Francisco Goya’s Caprichos.
Numbering approximately 4,000 works, holdings in Japanese prints consist of
color woodcuts from Edo in the 18th and 19th century and Tokyo from the early
20th century. Prints by Hiroshige, with more than 2,000, are a particular
strength. The Chazen also has a strong representation of works by Wisconsin
printmakers, including works from the faculty of the University of Wisconsin
and many of the printmakers working around the state since the 1920s. As the
archive for Tandem Press, the museum houses hundreds of works by a broad range
of contemporary artists.

The museum’s collection of drawings
and watercolors has an exemplary selection of British watercolors that provides
breadth and variety, from large high-finished works to intimate studies and
sketches. Indian miniatures are comprehensively represented in the Jane Werner
Watson collection. With the Lane Collection, the museum has a large number of
drawings by mid-20th century sculptors. The photography holdings have been
greatly enhanced by the Baker/Pisano collection, which provide historical
background to a collection dominated by the photographers of the mid-20th
century.

Mission Statement

The Association of Academic Museums and Galleries is the leading educational and professional organization for academic museums, galleries, and collections. In recognition of the unique opportunities and challenges of its constituents, the AAMG establishes and supports best practices, educational activities and professional development that enable its member organizations to fulfill their educational missions.